If there’s one thing tech companies do extremely well, it’s compete. One segment of the market seeing a lot of activity is portable audio, where brands like Apple and Samsung are constantly competing. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are among the best wireless earbuds for audiophiles, with each pair delivering great sound, powerful active noise cancellation (ANC), and unique ecosystem features. If you’re wondering which premium in-ear headphones are best, it really comes down to personal preference and the mobile devices you own, both of which retail for around $250.
If you’re an Apple power user, AirPods Pro 3 can instantly switch between devices signed into the same Apple account. You can listen to a podcast on your iPhone and switch to your MacBook for a conference call – no manual pairing required. You’ll also have access to iOS features that Android device owners won’t have, like the Find My app and voice isolation mode.
That said, Samsung device owners are in a similar position with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and all of its new features. If you have a recent Galaxy phone, Samsung Seamless Codec, Adapt Sound, and Auracast will be available to you. You can also use the Galaxy Wearables app to fine-tune your Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the 9-band graphic equalizer to shape your listening profile, which you won’t find with the AirPods Pro 3. However, if you want to automatically switch between Android devices, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro doesn’t support Multipoint.
Apple and Samsung are pros when it comes to sound quality and attenuation.
Sound quality and noise cancellation are two key criteria to consider when investing in high-end audio equipment. Luckily, the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are known for their fantastic sound right out of the box. Even though AirPods Pro 3 doesn’t offer multi-band EQ and most customization features are geared toward accessibility and hearing protection, experts point to bold, bright audio quality, with plenty of bass boost and enough high-frequency articulation to make voices and dialogue clear and crisp.
The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are also praised for their great sound and for having a more pronounced bass signature than the AirPods Pro 3. Fans of rock, metal, rap, and EDM probably won’t want to change a single setting, but if you want to tweak the low end, the Galaxy Wearables app has plenty of audio presets to choose from. When it comes to ANC, the AirPods and Galaxy Buds do a remarkable job of dampening unwanted noise, with Apple earbuds blocking out an average of 90% of outside noise compared to 84% for Samsung units, according to Sound Guys.
It’s worth noting that if you use wireless headphones for phone calls, the AirPods Pro 3 are considered better at isolating your voice and reducing background noise. The Buds 4 Pro offer solid mic quality in quieter environments, but aren’t as effective as the AirPods Pro 3 at dampening background noise.
Other factors to consider before making your decision
You can’t escape a comparison between the AirPods Pro 3 and the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro without discussing battery life, and the AirPods Pro 3 is the clear winner here. On a full charge, you can expect up to 8 hours of playback with ANC enabled, while the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro offer up to 6 hours with ANC enabled.
Ultimately, you’ll spend around $250 for either pair of premium in-ear headphones. Sales and discounts are a little more frequent at Samsung, and markdowns are a little stronger. That’s not to say you’ll never reach a deal on the AirPods Pro 3, but you can wait longer for prices to fluctuate.
Ultimately, what matters most is the ecosystem you use and, if applicable, which exclusive features you don’t want to be excluded from. Fortunately, Apple and Samsung are among the best in consumer technology, and both brands are known for making incredible headphones. We also had the opportunity to test the AirPods Pro 3 and came away impressed with Apple’s latest and greatest earbuds.
